Who here loves amigurumi toy sets? I totally do!
I've made a few in the past, including this sweet Baby Mouse in Moses Basket. It features a miniature crocheted mouse that you can place into the basket and tuck in using a leaf blanket.
I also designed the Catnap Kitties recently, which was a lot of fun playing with yarn colors! These kitties have mini beds to get tucked into as well.
After making those sweet kitties, I decided to make a human version of the doll as well. This way, you can also have human baby dolls to tuck into bed!
What's awesome is that the kitties and humans are the same size, so they can both fit in the same bed pattern. The only difference other than the shape of their heads, is that the human baby dolls have wearable bonnets that can be put on and taken off! It has a Waldorf sort of vibe, I feel.
This pattern is...
- Beginner-friendly
- Quick to work up
- 100% crocheted (no sewing needed!)
- Great for using up scrap yarns (in other words, an awesome "stashbuster"!)
- Fun toy for kids to play with
- Unisex, for both boys and girls and everyone in-between!
- Perfect as party favors, birthday presents, holiday or Christmas gifts, craft fairs, and more!
The Yarn I Used
For this project, I used the Brava Mini Packs from KnitPicks. I got it in the "Rainbow" color scheme, which included 24 gorgeous colors, ranging from pastels to vibrant, jewel-toned shades! As an amigurumi artist who often needs to use a large variety of colors, this was the PERFECT product for me because I can so conveniently pursue my color cravings...without having to buy full skeins! In addition, it's also soft and easy to work with. It's seriously the perfect solution and I know I'm sticking to Brava for my amigurumi needs!
Make this project for...
Anyone who'd love this fun, miniature "doll and bed" set! This small toy is perfect for little hands. Toddlers, preschoolers, and elementary kids will love playing with these fun, colorful dolls. As mentioned earlier, these would make great party favors, birthday gifts, holiday and Christmas gifts, and craft fair items. Since it's unisex, it's suitable for both boys, girls, and everyone in-between!
Worry Doll
The Bedtime Babies can also serve as crochet worry dolls! Worry dolls are typically handmade dolls, and they originate from the highland indigenous people of Guatemala. They're also found in Mexico. According to legend, a child can tell his worries to the Worry Doll and place the doll under his pillow when he goes to bed at night. By morning, the doll would have gifted him with the wisdom and knowledge to eliminate his worries. The story of the worry doll is a local Mayan legend.
Whether or not you believe in legends, I think these dolls can serve as great "worry buddies" for children with anxiety or sensory difficulties, as they can use a tangible little friend to calm down if needed. Since these dolls are so small, they can easily be tucked into pockets and carried around. Maybe it can even help a child on his first day of school by giving him some confidence and bravery to bring in a piece of familiarity from home to his new environment!
If you like this design of mine, you can check out the other Amigurumi Patterns I have on my site, or click to see all my Free Crochet Patterns!
Want the PDF pattern?
If you would like to download the beautifully-formatted, ad-free, and easy-to-read PDF version with photo references, you can get a copy from my Ravelry or Etsy shop.
(Thank you for supporting Sweet Softies designs! These funds help offset my craft materials cost and allows me to design more free patterns to share with you all on my blog!)
BEDTIME BABIES
Free Crochet Pattern
Copyright Notice -- © 2021 Sweet Softies (www.sweetsofties.com). You have permission to sell finished products made from this pattern, but you must credit Sweet Softies as the owner/creator of this pattern by linking to my website (www.sweetsofties.com). No wholesale. You may not translate, copy, alter, or sell my patterns in part or in whole in any way. My patterns may not be used in video tutorials or teaching online classes. My patterns may be used in teaching in-person classes ONLY with written consent from me. You may link to this pattern but you may not copy any part of the pattern instructions on other websites.
Introduction:
It’s bedtime for baby! The Bedtime Babies pattern is a cute, play-based amigurumi project that your little one will love to play with. The pattern is easy, quick to crochet, and suitable for familiar beginners. The baby doll, bonnet, and bed are three separate pieces, but each is a no-sew design. That means it’s crocheted entirely in one piece. Since this project only requires a small amount of yarn, this is a stashbuster and a great way to use up scrap yarn. This crocheted toy allows for imagination and creativity. In addition, it can serve as a “worry doll” to help children with anxiety, autism, or sensory needs calm down and self-regulate when holding onto it. Being pocket-sized, these dolls can easily travel with your little one too! Both boys and girls will enjoy this fun, gender neutral (unisex) dolls. They’re great to make as birthday presents for children, holiday or Christmas gifts, kids party favors, and more.
The PDF pattern file includes complete written instructions and photo references. A step-by-step video tutorial is also available for this DIY project.
Size:
Doll: 7cm in height. Bed: 7cm x 9cm.
Level of Difficulty:
★★☆☆☆ Easy / Familiar Beginner
Requires familiarity with stitches used (below), attaching yarn, changing yarn colors, and attaching plastic safety eyes.
Stitches/Terms Used:
- FO: fasten off
- Ch: chain
- Sp: space
- Sl st: slip stitch
- Sc: single crochet
- Hdc: half double crochet
- Dc: double crochet
- Inc: increase
- Dec: decrease
- BLO: back loops only
Materials:
- Medium weight 4 yarn in desired colors (I used Brava Mini Packs from KnitPicks)
- 2.75mm hook (for doll)
- 4mm crochet hook (for bed)
- Fiberfill stuffing
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
Note: A complete video tutorial is also available, or scroll down to view it on this page.
PART 1: DOLL
Use the 2.75mm hook. Start with C1 yarn.
R1: Ch 6. Sc in 2nd ch from hook. Sc across. (5 sc total at this point.) Then, sc 5 across the other side of the ch. (10 sc total in this round.)
R2: (Sc, inc) x 5. (15 sts)
R3: Sc around. (15 sts)
Switch to C2. (Do not FO C1 as you will continue using it.)
R4: Sc around. (15 sts)
R5: Sc around, but alternate with C1 for every other stitch. (15 sts)
R6: Sc around. (15 sts)
R7: Sc around, but alternate with C1 for every other stitch. (15 sts)
R8: Sc around. (15 sts)
Switch to C1.
R9: (Sc, dec) x 5. (10 sts)
R10: Sc around. (10 sts)
Switch to C3.
R11: Inc around. (20 sts)
R12: (Sc 3, inc) x 5. (25 sts)
R13-R14: Sc around. (25 sts)
Switch to C4.
R15: (Sc 3, dec) x 5. (20 sts)
For the eyes, you can use black thread to sew sleeping eyes to your doll’s face between R13-R14 (I sewed eyes across 2 sts, 3 sts apart). Alternatively, if you want to use plastic safety eyes, you can attach 6mm safety eyes between R13-R14, 5 sts apart.
R16: (Sc 2, dec) x 5. (15 sts)
R17: (Sc, dec) x 5. (10 sts)
R18: Dec around. (5 sts)
FO with a yarn end to sew the top closed.
PART 2: BONNET
Use the 2.75mm hook. Start with C1 yarn.
R1: In MR, ch 3 (counts as first dc) and insert 11 dc. Join with a sl st to the top of the ch-3. (12 dc)
R2: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), insert dc in same st. Insert 2 dc in each of next 10 sts. Leave the last st unworked. Do not join. (22 dc)
R3: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), turn. Dc across. (22 dc) FO. With a long tail (as the bonnet’s first strap), attach C2 yarn to the top of the ch-3 in R3. Continue with R4 below.
R4: Ch 1. Sc across in BLO. (22 sc)
FO with a long tail (as the bonnet’s second strap), making sure it matches with the first strap. You can put it on your doll's head and tie the ends into a bow!
PART 3: BED
Colored Blanket Section
Notes:
- The ch-2 spaces in this section make the corners of the blanket.
- The blanket is worked in a continuous spiral. Do not join with a sl st.
Start with blanket color yarn.
R1: Ch 2. In 2nd ch from hook: (sc, ch 2) x 4.
R2: (In ch-2 sp: sc, ch 2, sc, ch) x 4.
R3: (In ch-2 sp: sc, ch 2, sc, ch. In ch-1 sp: sc, ch) x 4.
R4: (In ch-2 sp: sc, ch 2, sc, ch. In each of the next two ch-1 sp: sc, ch) x 4.
R5: (In ch-2 sp: sc, ch 2, sc, ch. In each of the next three ch-1 sp: sc, ch) x 4.
Switch to white yarn.
R6: In first ch-2 sp: sc, ch 2, sc, ch. In each of the next four ch-1 sp: sc, ch. In corner ch-2 sp: sc. Stop and continue with next row.
R7: Ch 2 (does not count as first hdc), turn. Hdc across in BLO. (12 sts)
FO.
Mattress Section
Use white yarn.
R1: Fhdc 10. (Non-Fhdc method: ch 12, hdc in 3rd ch from hook, hdc across.)
R2-R9: Ch 2 (does not count as first hdc), turn. Hdc across. (10 sts)
Do not FO. Continue with the border below.
Border Section
Notes: Blanket will be aligned to one side of the rectangular mattress. Both pieces will be stitched together in this border/edging section.
R1: Ch 1. Sc around entire perimeter of rectangular mattress, stitching the blanket to it. At corners of the rectangle: sc, ch, sc. Join with a sl st to the first sc. FO and weave in the ends.
Fasten off, no need for a long tail.
Congratulations on finishing your Bedtime Baby! Make these cute dolls in different color combinations, put on their bonnets, and help them into bed.
Here's the complete, step-by-step video tutorial for crocheting both the doll and bed!
Want the PDF pattern?
If you would like to download the beautifully-formatted, ad-free, and easy-to-read PDF version with photo references, you can get a copy from my Ravelry or Etsy shop.
(Thank you for supporting Sweet Softies designs! These funds help offset my craft materials cost and allows me to design more free patterns to share with you all on my blog!)
If you enjoyed this project, you might like my other designs! Simply click on the image below for the pattern, or check out all my free patterns here.
If you made this project and would like to share photos, I'd absolutely love to see! Here are links for sharing your finished creation:
- Sweet Softies Facebook Page
- Sweet Softies Amigurumi & Crochet Community Facebook Group
- Instagram, @SweetSofties
- Email: sweetsofties [at] gmail.com
Best wishes,
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